What’s Silvopasture?
Silvopasture, in its simplest definition, is the grazing of livestock in wooded areas. We promote silvopasture as a restoration and forest management practice. Farmers use cattle, goats, sheep, and other livestock to graze woody brush acres in combination with other management techniques, such as mechanical removal and prescribed fire. Continued grazing prevents unwanted plants from reestablishing while improving animal wellbeing during weather extremes, such as heatwaves and drought.
Silvopasture farmer field day in LeSueur MN
Silvopasture farmer field day in LeSueur MN.
Removing buckthorn and then grazing in these forested or oak savanna areas improves habitat and adds more productive acres to a farm’s operation – as in more acres that can be grazed to feed their livestock. Reducing the tree and shrub canopy also allows more sunlight to the forest floor, encouraging grasses and forbs to grow which improves habitat for insects, pollinators, birds, and small mammals alike.
Great River Greening guides those initial restoration practices and promotes the farmers who do those environmentally beneficial activities; our partners work with us to teach farmers about proper fencing construction and livestock management.
Watch the video series “Silvopasture in Practice: Growing Change on the Land” to learn more:
These videos were created in partnership with the Sustainable Farming Association, thanks to funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).